OHA awards $426,000 in grants

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs awarded Kaiaula grants to the following organizations: $100,000 to Alu Like Inc. on Molokai to support a substance abuse therapeutic living program retreat for youth; $48,000 to Biographical Research Center to support production of "Biography Hawai'i: Joseph Nawahi"; $98,810 to Chaminade University to support identification and treatment of ADHD children on Molokai and Oahu; $88,584 to Pauoa Elementary School in support of the Pauoa Project to integrate math and science curricula to improve literacy, critical thinking and comprehension skills for grades K-5; and $91,055 to Friends of the Future on behalf of Kohala's Project Venture (Big Island) to support a substance abuse prevention program for seventh-graders using Hawaiian culture.

Sister Beatrice Tom, former chief executive officer of the St. Francis Healthcare system of Hawaii, received a Distinguished Service Award from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. Given by the HAH for the first time in eight years, the award honored her for "sustained exemplary service to the health care industry and the citizens of Hawaii."

The Healthcare Association also recognized Tom Driskill for being named 2007 Grassroots Champion by the American Hospital Association, and the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital.